Charles Hatchett was an English chemist and mineralogist, best known for his discovery of the element niobium in 1801. He identified this element while studying a mineral called columbite, which was later named after the element itself. Hatchett's work contributed significantly to the field of chemistry and mineralogy during the early 19th century. In addition to his discovery of niobium, Hatchett was a member of the Royal Society and published various scientific papers. His contributions helped advance the understanding of rare minerals and elements, influencing future research in the field of chemistry.